Otolaryngology Residents
Daniel Arkfeld, M.D.
Hometown: Omaha, NE
Medical School: University of Nebraska Medical Center
Hobbies: Cooking, backpacking, skiing.
Fun Fact: I have a 2 year old golden retriever and started a vegetable garden this year.
What sparked your initial interest in the UC Davis ENT program?
The faculty had clearly carefully considered every aspect of my application and clearly cared about me as an individual.
What is your favorite aspect of the program?
This program has a great sense of community - the residents and faculty are very supportive of one another.
Zahrah Masheeb, M.D.
Hometown: Bogota, NJ
Medical School: Boston University School of Medicine
Hobbies: Volleyball, cooking/eating, reality TV.
Fun Fact: In a past life I sported a purple and gold outfit with a feathered hat to play piccolo in the marching band.
What sparked your initial interest in the UC Davis ENT program?
I knew some folks who did an away rotation here as a medical student, and they could not stop raving about the level of autonomy even at an early time point. That, AND everyone is incredibly nice!
What is your favorite aspect of the program?
There’s a sense of camaraderie here between the residents. Everyone is working hard to achieve their personal best while also playing their role as a member of the squad. Each person offers a unique strength and we all complement one another (no matter the PGY level) to get the job done... usually in time to grab breakfast in the morning.
Roberto Solis, M.D.
Hometown: McAllen, TX
Medical School: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso
Hobbies: Playing with my French Bulldog, wine tasting, hiking.
Fun Fact: Growing up on the US-Mexico border, I have learned that hot sauce on everything is a must!
What sparked your initial interest in the UC Davis ENT program?
I was fortunate to complete an away rotation here and immediately was drawn to the culture and strength of its surgical training. It was an easy decision for me to want to stay here.
What is your favorite aspect of the program?
The faculty, residents, and staff at UC Davis are second to none - it is an incredible environment to grow as a surgeon and person.
Aaron Done, M.D.
Hometown: Mesa, AZ
Medical School: University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson
Hobbies: Mountain biking, triathlon, and R/C racing
Fun Fact: I have an obsession with antique maps - the stories of discovery are told in the lines.
What sparked your initial interest in the UC Davis ENT program?
Working with and observing the well-trained surgeons that are products of UC Davis training.
What is your favorite aspect of the program?
The incredible people and attention to education.
Nicole Farber, M.D.
Hometown: Fort Lee, New Jersey
Medical School: Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
Hobbies: Riding my bike around Sacramento, backyard volleyball, and trying new food.
Fun Fact: I am a die hard Wisconsin Badger fan.
What sparked your initial interest in the UC Davis ENT program?
The mentors who I trusted most in medical school had nothing but incredible things to say about the department and the people that make up the program.
What is your favorite aspect of the program?
The unwavering support from my peers and faculty. From the moment I matched here I felt like I joined one big family.
Emelia Hughes, M.D.
Hometown: Modesto, CA
Medical School: University of San Diego School of Medicine
Hobbies: Yoga, baking, camping.
Fun Fact: My parents actually met at Davis, so I wouldn't be here today if not for the Aggies!
What sparked your initial interest in the UC Davis ENT program?
The culture! Davis is a wonderfully warm and welcoming program where I thought I'd fit in and get great surgical exposure.
What is your favorite aspect of the program?
The faculty and residents really focus on getting interns into the OR and teaching us through hands-on experience.
Jackson King, M.D.
Hometown: Colville, WA
Medical School: Washington State University College of Medicine
Hobbies: Golf, basketball, snowboarding, and spending time with my wife and daughter.
Fun Fact: My daughter was born at UC Davis one week before I started residency.
What sparked your initial interest in the UC Davis ENT program?
Extensive operative experience and strong exposure to cleft lip/palate surgery
What is your favorite aspect of the program?
The incredible culture and people who have welcomed me in like family.
Bridget MacDonald, M.D.
Hometown: Davis, CA
Medical School: University of California, San Diego School of Medicine
Hobbies: Photography, music, biking, gymnastics (enthusiast), spending time with family and friends, and enjoying beautiful Northern California.
Fun Fact: A favorite weekend activity is getting breakfast at the Davis Farmers' Market!
What sparked your initial interest in the UC Davis ENT program?
The incredible emphasis on resident education and early, hands-on experience.
What is your favorite aspect of the program?
The deep support of co-residents and sense of family within the department.
William Swift, M.D.
Hometown: Columbia, MO
Medical School: University of Virginia School of Medicine
Hobbies: Tennis, skiing, spikeball, and watching jeopardy (and not knowing the answers).
Fun Fact: Before coming to UC Davis, my entire California experience consisted of one weekend at a USC football game.
What sparked your initial interest in the UC Davis ENT program?
I knew a resident who did an away rotation at UC Davis and had wonderful things to say about the program. It got me interested, and as I learned about the surgical opportunities, program culture, and location, the more I realized how thrilled I would be to train here!
What is your favorite aspect of the program?
From the moment I matched, I felt like I was instantly welcomed into the UC Davis family by everyone here!
Karen Hoi, M.D.
Hometown: Tracy, CA
Medical School: University of Michigan Medical School
Hobbies: Cooking, eating, live music, arts and crafts, snowboarding, quality time with family and friends.
Fun Fact: I’m a big foodie. One of my favorite memories is getting to visit my parents’ home country of Burma with them and eating all the yummy street food.
What sparked your initial interest in the UC Davis ENT program?
I did an away rotation here and was blown away by the early resident autonomy, strong surgical training, supportive culture, and diverse patient population. It was a program I could easily see myself wanting to learn and grow in.
What is your favorite aspect of the program?
The people!
Isabella Leon, M.D.
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Medical School: University of California, Davis School of Medicine
Hobbies: Trail running, marathons, ‘scrapbooking’ my outdoor adventures and travels on Strava, baking bread, wine tasting, picnics, being a dog mom to a Duck Tolling Retriever and Brittany puppy.
Fun Fact: I was recently a part of 6 person women's ultra marathon relay team where we ran from San Diego to LA in 30 hours. It was the hardest fun I’ve ever had!
What sparked your initial interest in the UC Davis ENT program?
I was fortunate enough to rotate through the Davis ENT department during my 3rd year surgery clerkship. I found that the work ethic, camaraderie, and surgical skill level of the residents was a direct reflection of the faculty's enthusiasm toward teaching and expertise in their field. Getting to rotate for a month as an AI reinforced my love for this program.
What is your favorite aspect of the program?
The diverse case load and patient population, the camaraderie amongst residents, and the opportunity to be trained by mentors who were foundational to my interest in Otolaryngology since day one.
Nicholas Toomey, M.D.
Hometown: San Mateo, CA
Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine
Hobbies: Skiing, running, hiking, reading, music, trying new restaurants, watching bay area sports teams.
Fun Fact: I played college baseball.
What sparked your initial interest in the UC Davis ENT program?
The breadth and depth of training in all fields, and strong sense of community within the program. As well as exposure to patients with cleft lip and palate.
What is your favorite aspect of the program?
The strong culture and sense of community within the program!
Sukhkaran Aulakh, M.D.
Hometown: Turlock, CA
Medical School: University of California, Davis School of Medicine
Hobbies: Woodworking, DIY projects, learning new music, spending time with family and friends.
Fun Fact: I've had 8 wisdom teeth. (Thankfully all removed.)
What sparked your initial interest in the UC Davis ENT program?
The warmth and support from the faculty and residents that I felt from day one. Additionally, the incredibly diverse patient population in Northern California that UC Davis serves, and the opportunity to use my native language of Punjabi to communicate with patients.
Anuj Patel, M.D.
Hometown: West Lafayette, IN
Medical School: University of Michigan Medical School
Hobbies: Indian classical music, astronomy, cooking, trying new restaurants, travel, racket sports.
Fun Fact: I run my dog's Instagram account and she has way more followers than I do.
What sparked your initial interest in the UC Davis ENT program?
I had a friend in medical school (who is now a current resident) who spoke very highly of this program after their away rotation. On interview day, I was immediately drawn by the cohesiveness of the residents as well as the clinical and surgical excellence of the program!
Alice Su, M.D.
Hometown: San Jose, CA
Medical School: Loyola University, Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
Hobbies: Cooking, baking, reading, pilates, trying new coffee shops, wandering around Target and Trader Joe’s.
Fun Fact: I’m an avid baker! Weekly freshly baked bread and/or desserts are a must.
What sparked your initial interest in the UC Davis ENT program?
I was lucky enough to do an away rotation here and absolutely loved my experience. I was so impressed by the level of resident autonomy, strong surgical training across all subspecialties, and camaraderie among the residents. I couldn’t imagine a more fun and supportive group to train with!
Kirsten Wong, M.D.
Hometown: Fremont, CA
Medical School: University of California, Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine
Hobbies: Soccer, rock climbing, hiking, traveling.
Fun Fact: I got stabbed through the finger by a sea urchin once and never removed the spines, so maybe I can say I'm part sea urchin?
What sparked your initial interest in the UC Davis ENT program?
Extensive representation across subspecialties, cleft lip and palate, and comraderie between faculty and residents.